Santiago City

Santiago is a city in the province of Isabela, sitting on the Cagayan Valley, surrounded by mountain ranges like the Sierra Madre (on the east) and Cordillera (on the west). It is situated at the southwestern portion of Isabela Province.

The city has a number of distinct claims to fame. The Santiago Concrete Water Tank is the Philippines’ Tallest Mural. It is also one of the city’s most distinct landmarks — it is visible from anywhere, standing 30 meters high and painted in bright, colorful hues.

The popular girl band 4th Impact, composed of Almira, Irene, Mylene, and Celina Cercado, also hail from this city. They have been competing in international singing contests since the early 2000’s and are a worldwide sensation.

Cavalry Hill in Barangay Balintokatok is a great place for mountaineers and the devout alike. There are life-sized Stations of the Cross stops in the hill. And at its peak, there rests a chapel that is about a century old.

There are also a number of areas for cultural sightseeing in Santiago. The Balay na Santiago is a house-turned-museum, hosting furniture, photos, and other memorabilia from the city’s past. The Museo de Pattaradday at Centro East also contains everyday items and artifacts from different times and periods from this region.

Accommodations in the area include Garden Hill Hotel and Venue, Monte Carlo Hotel, Zen Hotel and GraceHill EconoSuites, to name a few. For people looking for a swim or an events venue, you could opt to book into some of the resorts here, such as Hacienda Candelaria Resort, Sunshine Wave Resort and Garden Venue and Wilmer’s Resort Hotel and Restaurant.